Roberto drove us back to the little airport the next morning after an early brunch. I had really enjoyed my stay at the Figaredo Estate, and made Eddie promise that he would come back to visit some time without it being a business trip.

Still tired from my late night, I slept most of the flight to France. Eddie woke me shortly before we were to land and had me change into something suitable for bodyguard duty. I wore a pair of snug black pants that hugged around me like a second skin, and a frothy green fitted top that flared slightly at the hips.

When we stepped off the plane, Benny and Trigger dismissed themselves quickly and hurried across the small airstrip to the train stop. I wondered at the hurry they were in to get to the station when the train wouldn't arrive for another half hour. A black Mercedes was coming toward us, and the boys looked like startled animals as they hurried away.

I didn't think much of it when a dark haired, busty woman, wearing an impossibly tight outfit, and showing far too much cleavage, stepped out of the car. The driver tipped his hat at Eddie and me before picking up the first of the bags. I helped, taking the bag that contained the solid gold Indonesian snail shells we had taken on the first job I worked with him. Settling that in the trunk, I walked back over to Eddie and the woman.

"I have waited for your return, Edward. To see you again is a sublime pleasure," the woman gushed, taking his hands and kissing his cheek. She had a thick French accent that was almost hard to understand. "You are looking better and better each time I see you."

"It is a pleasure to see you again as well," he said, kissing the back of her hand.

A flare of anger rushed through me as the woman tucked her arm into Eddie's as I approached.

"Your men are not staying with you this time?" she asked, sounding far too hopeful, looking at the retreating figures of Benny and Trigger.

"Not this time. I have a new bodyguard," he said, indicating me with a wave of his hand. "Dee Lemma. She's new."

New? I'm not that new, Eddie, I grumbled to myself, taking Tangram from the pilot. I really wished he would stop telling everyone my full name. I hated it. Why couldn't he just introduce me as Query? "Please, call me Query," I said, extending my hand.

The woman looked at me as if I were covered in stinking swamp mud. "This child is to replace your two men? Really, Edward, do you think it is proper?"

"She might look young, but she's excellent at her job. This is her pet, Tangram," he said.

"Isn't he precious," the woman said, reaching out to pat Tangram on the head.

Like a good tiger, Tangram hissed and swatted at the woman's hand, claws extended. Good kitty, I said to myself, calmly stroking him under the chin.

The woman glared at me. "He is dangerous, Edward! You do not intend to let her bring that... Thing into Henry's house, do you?"

"Query, control him," Eddie snapped, turning to the woman. He covered her hand with his, patting it reassuringly. "He's probably just tired from traveling. Tangram is never off his leash when out of the room. You have nothing to fear from him."

But plenty to fear from me, you slut! I wanted to snarl as she puffed chest up, pressing her breasts against Eddie's arm. Glowering, I replied, "Yes, Mr. Nigma." And thank you for introducing me to this French bimbo!

"I certainly hope not! We should be going now, Edward. Henry is having a small dinner for you tonight. I'm certain you wish to freshen up before hand. Come. You may ride in back with me and tell me what you have been doing since we last saw each other," she said, pulling him toward the car. Before I could get in, she pulled the door closed, rolling the window down. "There is no room back here for you and your pet. Sit up front," she said haughtily. There was an unspoken, but implied, "where you belong" in her words.

"Yes, Ma'am." I took Tangram to the front, settling myself in the seat. "'There is no room back here for you and your pet,'" I mimicked softly. The driver chuckled as he pulled away from the plane. Thankfully, or rather not, there was a piece of glass separating the back from the front. I was glad, because it gave me time to make faces and mock the woman. I was angry, because I couldn't see what was going on back there, only being able to make out part of the conversation and the woman's tittering giggle. More than anything, I wanted to reach back there and throttle her.

The tables had been turned, and I was stuck being the one to glare out the window on the ride to the chateau. What angered me was that Eddie had not told me the woman's name, nor had he said I was anything other than a bodyguard to him. If that was how he was going to play it, fine. I would treat him as an employer and nothing more until he apologized for being so rude.

The driver spoke only when we reached the chateau, announcing to me that I had arrived at Henry Clef's Estate. I thanked him as he helped me unload the bags, while Eddie continued to be absorbed in his conversation with the vacuous twit. Taking possession of the shells, I held Tan's leash in one hand as a young man took the bags.

"Henry is very excited about the things you have brought for him," the woman said, looking a bit too cozy at Eddie's side.

"Ah, they will only be his after we have agreed on a price," he chuckled, walking right past me and into the house.

Seething, I followed them into the main hall, a few steps behind.

"I must go and make certain that everything will be ready for tonight. The maid will show you to your room," she said, waving at a woman who approached us. "Please forgive me for turning you over to a servant, Edward?"

"It's fine. I'll see you in the dining room tonight." He gave her a little bow before smiling to the maid who led us up to our room.

When the woman tried to show me to a different room, I almost took it. Eddie stopped me, telling the maid that we were sharing a room. I rolled my eyes, amazed that he remembered I was there. When the bags were set in the room, the maid asked me if I would need anything else.

"Blankets and a pillow, please," I requested while Eddie was out of earshot, digging through his bag.

"Yes, Mademoiselle."

"Please, call me Query. Unless there's a rule that says servant's can't call each other by name?"

"No rule like that," she smiled. "I am Anna."

"Pleased to meet you, Anna. You're the first one who's name I know."

She smiled, and then excused herself. I went into the bathroom to wash my face, ignoring Eddie who sat on the bed checking the shells over. Tangram made himself comfortable on the couch where I had decided I was going to sleep. I didn't think it would be proper for a bodyguard to sleep in the same bed as her employer.

"Are you ready to go down to dinner?" Eddie asked sometime later.

I looked up from where I sat with Tangram, reading a book. "Yes, Mr. Nigma," I said snapping Tan's leash on.

He gave me a strange look, straightened his tie, and headed out. As we walked down to the dining room, he spoke.

"Henry is a strange old man. He gets it in his mind that he wants something, and he'll pay whatever to get it. Negotiations with him are fairly simple, but just as dull as any others." He paused wagging a finger at me without looking at me. "Tangram must be kept under control. I don't want to see him lashing out at anyone the way he did earlier. What he did at the airport was uncalled for. You had better teach that animal who is an enemy and who is not."

"He's a wild animal. He survives off his instincts about people," I replied coldly.

"Edward!" the woman called, waving at him from across the hall.

It irked me that he still hadn't told me her name.

"Darling, Henry is already seated and waiting for you," she said, jiggling over and taking his arm. She tugged him toward the dining room.

"Then I shouldn't keep him waiting, should I?" he smiled.

I ground my teeth as he escorted her into the dining room, pulling her chair out before sitting in his, directly across from her. Taking my seat right next to him, I didn't wait for Eddie to introduce me to the man who was obviously Henry Clef. He was pleasant enough, a complete opposite of the woman who interrupted me and insisted on both men giving her undivided attention as she related a story of one of her shopping trips into Paris to find the outfit she wore.

Blah, blah, blah. Would she ever shut up?! I took to studying the coat of arms, banners, and other pieces of the past that hung from the high vaulted ceiling of the dining hall, tucked in among the chandeliers.

"Vanessa, I think our guests would find a good night's sleep beneficial," Henry finally said after half the people at the table had excused themselves to go to bed. "You may chat with him more tomorrow." He paused. "After the meeting."

"Of course, Henry," said Vanessa.

Finally, a name to her face. I could now curse her name instead of thinking of her as "that woman." Not that I was going to think higher of her because I had found out her name. What I was pleased to notice was Henry's exasperation with Vanessa. I wondered what her relationship with him was. Her forward manner made me think she was his girlfriend, but her obvious flirting with Eddie made me dismiss the fact. Certainly she would probably flirt with Eddie either way, but Henry didn't come across as the type of man to put up with that.

I left Eddie in the room to take Tangram for a walk. No words passed between us. At the moment, I was so angry with him, I didn't care if anyone did try to do anything to harm him. It would serve him right! When I returned to the room, he was safely in bed, going through a notebook, crossing things off and scribbling down new notes. Ignoring him as he had been ignoring me, I took Tangram into the bathroom with me for my shower. He was co-operative as I blow-dried his fur, rolling onto his back so I could dry his belly.

Dressed in my pajamas, I left the bathroom. Eddie was asleep by the time I had finished. I made up my bed on the couch and curled up to sleep with Tangram in my arms.

I hadn't been asleep long when the sound of the doorknob being rattled woke me. Hushing Tangram who started to growl, I changed into a black panther and awaited the person who was now sneaking into the room.
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